I think it's pretty clear by now that the Land Before Time is almost certainly going to have no more new sequels or TV episodes. The series we know may be over, but that doesn't rule out the possibility that that it could be rebooted sometime in the future; a series of remakes, so to speak. Now let's suppose that this does happen, and you're placed in charge of the whole project. What would you do? Would you keep everything the way it was in the original series? Or would you make some changes? If so, what would you do to make the new series different? Would you expect your plans to be a success?
Here's what I would do. First, the script of the first movie will be mostly unchanged, but the animation will be more like it was in the latter part of the series (partly due to the old style not being done anymore these days).
Animation aside, another big change I'd make will be in the sequels, specifically the songs. First priority would be to scrap the "3 songs per movie" quota. This doesn't mean I'm getting rid of them entirely, just removing the potential for bad ones. By focusing more on quality than quantity, the songs that do get made will make them become an aspect that gets praise rather than ridicule.
We know a lot more about dinosaurs these days than we did back in the '80s and '90s, when the early part of the series was made. I'd like the rebooted series to reflect our expanded knowledge, so that means slightly altering some species, like many of them being mostly covered in feathers, including Fast Biters and juvenile Sharpteeth, which (admittingly awkward
) will include Chomper.
Now we move on to the plots of the sequels. LBT2, I'll keep mostly the same, since Chomper is a fan favorite. I may or may not include 3 and/or 4, can't say for sure right now. LBT5 is where I'll really start to diverge from the original series. The gang not only reunites with Chomper, but also meet Ruby as well. I'm not sure if I would either slightly alter the existing script or make a new one entirely, but the key change is that by the end of the movie, Chomper and Ruby decide to live in the Great Valley with their friends, so the gang of five becomes the gang of seven. The next sequel starts with Chomper in hiding, since introducing a Sharptooth to the Great Valley is quite a tricky thing to do. Eventually, Ruby and Chomper are allowed to live safely in the Great Valley, though I don't yet have a plot in mind.
It is here where I'll insert the start of a new TV series. With only a few movies out so far, the TV series is given a lot more potential than the original one had. Like the sequels, I'm definitely scrapping the "2 songs per episode" quota and focus more on the quality of whatever few there may be. Some concepts from the later sequels can instead be used as TV episodes. Others, like LBT7, may be better off staying as full length movies, which will take place during the events of the TV series instead of before.
What do you think? Do you think my ideas sound like a plausible way to reboot the Land Before Time?
How about telling us what you have in mind? What would you do if you could reboot the series? Do you think you can make improvements where the original series failed?
